Low: Spain remain the favourites to win Euro 2012

The Mannschaft boss played down the criticism La Roja have received after an unconvincing group-stage display and maintains that the reigning champions are still the team to beat

Germany coach Joachim Low feels that Spain are "absolutely world class" and remain the favourites to win Euro 2012.

The reigning champions drew against Italy, while beating Republic of Ireland and Croatia to book their ticket for the quarter-finals as Group C winners, and Low has nothing but praise for Vicente del Bosque's men.

LA ROJA TO BURST INTO ACTION?

Charlie Scott | Spain Expert

Despite being criticised by sections of the Spanish press, as Low says, "you can still rely on them to pull off some kind of goalscoring move". And, although La Roja have not looked at their best so far this tournament, they have still scored the most goals, had the most shots on target and concded the fewest number of goals, and bosted the highest average possession in each game. Don't be fooled by the media: Spain are still favourites.

"They have fantastic players, [Andres] Iniesta, for example, is a product of a great footballing culture.

"Spain always were, and remain, the favourite to win the tournament," Low stated to reporters.

"I have watched Spain twice and they are absolutely world class with the combinations they have.

"They have just suffered the same fate as many other teams here, you have opponents sitting very deep and trying to disrupt your rhythm.

"You can still rely on Spain to pull off some kind of goalscoring move."

Spain, who are on opposite ends of the draw with Germany, lock horns with France in the quarter-finals on Saturday June 23 at 20:45CET.